Local News

HILLSVILLE — The nearly $1.6 million in funding from the federal stimulus package could save jobs in the Carroll County Public School System, and educators remain hopeful that the government will allow more flexibility in the recovery effort.

HILLSVILLE — The 14 cruelty to animal convictions against a Hillsville businessman in a puppy mill case have been upheld by a Virginia Appeals Court judge.

This makes the second time a court has refused to overturn the 14 misdemeanor convictions against Lanzie Carroll Horton Jr. resulting from a trial in Carroll General District Court.

Those animal cruelty charges, as well as the 25 animal neglect convictions that went uncontested in this appeal, stem from a national Humane Society and Virginia PAWS campaign to expose puppy mills in the state.

INDEPENDENCE — To the pleasure of more than 30 Elk Creek Volunteer Rescue and Fire Department members in attendance, the Grayson Board of Supervisors last week approved transferring the old Elk Creek School property to the fire department — for free.

Kevin Spurlin, representing the county's School Facilities Committee, wasted no time telling the board what the community wanted out of the building.

HILLSVILLE — Could the federal stimulus package finance more revitalization work downtown and across Hillsville?

Town Manager Larry South added several entries to the Virginia stimulus database Web site and registered Hillsville with its federal counterpart, after being encouraged to do so by Rep. Rick Boucher (D-Abingdon).

Two suggestions for the funds, which are meant to create jobs through infrastructure projects, relate directly to the downtown area.

HILLSVILLE — Increased oversight of volunteers and volunteer agencies will likely result from two decisions made by the Carroll supervisors at the March 9 board meeting.

The supervisors considered two policy recommendations from the Emergency Services Board that included suspending volunteers from service when accused of crimes and requiring each fire and rescue squad to have a financial audit.

Editor’s Note: This information is taken from open court records and is a matter of public record. The listings are complete. The newspaper, as a matter of fairness, will not honor requests to omit any listing.

For information on this column or questions, call Terri King at 236-5178, ext. 213.

District Court

These sentences were recorded in October in the Galax General District Court Office, Galax. Sentences may be appealed:

INDEPENDENCE — The Grayson County Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing regarding a proposed 252-site senior recreation park in Mouth of Wilson tomorrow, Thursday — and more opposition continues to be heard.

Brian Hyder is a landowner in the Fox Knob Community, and has property that adjoins Fox Knob Road for about four-tenths of a mile. He is one of many neighbors that are worried about the potential impact “Spirit Harbor” would have on the community.

INDEPENDENCE — Developers hoping to bring a 252-site senior recreational park to Mouth of Wilson were knocked out in round one of the application process last week, when the Grayson County Planning Commission recommended that the Board of Supervisors deny a special use permit application.

At the Feb. 17 meeting, developers brought the commission extensive plats, water and sewer details and road elevation surveys to answer any questions about the proposed 148-acre Spirit Harbor park off Fox Wood Lane near the New River.